Rio Takeda: The 21-Year-Old Rising Star Shaking Up the LPGA
At just 21 years old, Rio Takeda has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in women’s golf. After clinching victory at the 2024 Toto Japan Classic, Takeda earned her spot on the LPGA Tour and wasted no time making an impression. Now ranked 16th in the world, her rapid rise is turning heads across the sport.
Since joining the LPGA, Takeda has participated in 11 events, securing a major win at the Blue Bay Tournament with a stellar 8-under 64—beating out seasoned champion Minjee Lee, who holds two major titles and 10 career wins. Alongside that victory, Takeda has already recorded five top-10 finishes in 2025 alone. Her dominance began in 2024, when she won an incredible eight consecutive tournaments on the LPGA of Japan Tour.
What sets Takeda apart is not only her explosive power—especially her long driving distance—but also her precise shot accuracy. She boasts an impressive 77% driving accuracy, a figure that places her among the most reliable drivers in the women’s game. However, many believe her excellence is also tied closely to the tools she uses on the course.
Takeda’s Gear: A Look Inside Her Winning Golf Bag
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Takeda is sponsored by Srixon, a Japanese sports brand known for high-performance golf gear. Her go-to driver is the Srixon ZX7 Mk II, which features a compact head shape and a loft angle of 11.4°, ideal for enhancing ball speed and maximizing distance. It’s a top-tier club priced at $499.
For her fairway shots, she relies on the Srixon ZX Mk II Fairway Wood with a 15° loft. This club is praised for its light weight and efficient design, offering both a high launch and minimal spin—a crucial combination for optimal control. It typically sells for $279.
Takeda’s hybrid setup includes the Srixon ZX Mk II Hybrids with 17° and 24° lofts. These clubs are designed for balanced performance, blending distance and control. Their aerodynamic shape and low center of gravity enhance playability, while the compact design increases ball speed. Each hybrid is priced at around $179.99.
Precision with Every Shot: Takeda’s Irons, Wedges, and Putter
Her iron selection includes the Srixon ZXi5 (5-iron) and the ZXi7 irons (6-iron to pitching wedge), known for their forgiving performance and pinpoint accuracy. The ZXi5 retails for approximately $1114.26, while the ZXi7 iron set comes in at $1299.99.
When it comes to short game mastery, Takeda trusts Cleveland Golf’s RTX ZipCore wedges, using the 50°, 54°, and 58° MID models. These wedges are built to handle tricky situations like sand shots and high flops. Their prices range from $99 to $119.95.
Takeda finishes her rounds with the Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero putter. Known for its 2135 alignment technology, the putter offers high forgiveness and remarkable stability, which helps her stay consistent on the greens.
True to her roots, Takeda also uses a Japanese golf ball—the Srixon Z-STAR. This premium-quality ball is built for aerodynamic stability and optimal flight performance, and it costs $49.95 per pack.
Her partnership with SRI Sports Limited, the company behind Srixon, appears to be a perfect fit. Takeda’s consistent success with their equipment continues to prove that skill and gear can be a powerful combination.
With her relentless drive and dialed-in setup, many are wondering: can Rio Takeda take home the U.S. Women’s Open title in the near future?